I own reels from both, and for me I prefer the Daiwas. The Shimano reels are nice, I just prefer the way that my Daiwa reels handle. I’ve actually begun switching out all of my reels to Daiwa. 

1 hour ago, browne762 said:

When I was younger Shimano was the bee's knees, but out of my price range for baitcasters. Daiwa wasn't really available around town so not many talked about it. This was before internet ordering.

 

I got out of fishing for many years and just got back into it around the summer of 2018. I am fortunate enough now to purchase some nicer equipment then what I had back in the day. So, the first thing I did was go out and get some Shimano products. First reel I purchased was a Curado DC. I then purchase two more of those the next week. Then were the Curado K and the Curado 70.

 

Then after reading so much about how nice the Daiwa Tatula SVs were, I got two of those. They looked and felt nice. Got out to use them on the water, and they just aren't my thing. I dislike them. They don't cast the same as what I was use to nor like the new Shimano reels I had just gotten. I feel like I am the only person on this site that doesn't like them. I used them on two outings and have not used them since. They are not garbage, but they are just not my thing. 

 

Clearly Daiwa makes quality equipment, not saying they don't, but they might not be for everybody is all I am getting at. Same can be said for Shimano. 

 

I would recommend getting a couple demo samples from TW before pulling the trigger on one brand or the other.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/demoprogram.html

You're not the only one. I kind of liked the tatula ct and the 100 but never cared for the sv. I've owned 3 or 4 and wasn't a fan at all. They were probably the noisiest reels I've owned and I got them from different places at different times. They were ok but between the geary noise and what I felt was lack of casting distance they aren't for me. I scratch my head every time I read people singing the praises. They are super easy to use and hard to backlash so I can see the appeal there. I know its frowned upon here but I've turned into a lews guy lately.  They just work, silky smooth, cast a mile....what's not to like. Shimano makes a fine product as well I like any of theirs from the curado up. Daiwa makes some fine reels as well I just want a fan of the sv. Which means...as others have said...try them for yourself and you decide. Apparently what I like and what most others like are not the same thing.

Owned a Tatula, didn't care for the t wing system. Own a fuego that I like. Just picked up a a curado k that is very nice. Haven caught anything on the curado yet, but it palms well and cast further than the Daiwa reels I have owned. 

 

Both brands are top of their game so really can't go wrong. 

You are in luck!!!!!!   There is no wrong answer.  The model options in both manufactures is broad and the Lews options should not be overlooked.   

1 minute ago, Columbia Craw said:

You are in luck!!!!!!   There is no wrong answer.  The model options in both manufactures is broad and the Lews options should not be overlooked.   

Well said.

 

I am a Lew’s fan boy but I own several Shimano and Daiwa reels that I love as well. 

4 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

The Bantam MGL also costs twice as much as a Daiwa SV 103

Only if your are talking about the Tatula. Check out the real Daiwa SV103.    I got my Bantam MGL new for less. 

 

19 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Only if your are talking about the Tatula. Check out the real Daiwa SV103.    I got my Bantam MGL new for less. 

 

That's what I was thinking and so did I. 

Casting distance is just a piece of the puzzle. My longest caster is also my least favorite. I currently have 4 Diawa’s, Chronarch, 2 Lew’s, and a Revo in my main lineup. They all have pros and cons.
 

The SV’s are fantastic at throwing plastics but aren’t “tight”. The CT frames are bullet proof but kind of big. The Chronarch is effortless and accurate but not a long caster or quiet. The Lews are work horses but can be temperamental for no reason. The Abu casts anything a mile but isn’t refined and the ergo dynamics are average. 
 

If I had to pick one to do it all it would be one of the Tatulas

Diawa vs shimano 

This thread will never end.

This is like the OLD...Ford vs Chevy debate..

I've always been a Shimano guy. I know Daiwa makes quality reels as well but one thing I rarely hear mentioned about them is longevity. It could be right up there with Shimano for all I know. I just don't recall reading much about it.   My baitcasters are Curado E's and Bantam MGL's. They're very simple to take apart and put back together which I really like because I don't enjoy doing reel maintenance at all. My Curados are 10+ years old with some having been used almost exclusively for fishing in heavy weeds with a meat stick rod and 80lb braid - drag locked right down and they're still going strong.  Though admittedly a couple of them are starting to feel like they might not have many years left in them. Still I can't complain and I feel like the Bantams will be at least as durable and they're really fun reels to fish with.

7 minutes ago, The Maestro said:

I've always been a Shimano guy. I know Daiwa makes quality reels as well but one thing I rarely hear mentioned about them is longevity. It could be right up there with Shimano for all I know. I just don't recall reading much about it.   My baitcasters are Curado E's and Bantam MGL's. They're very simple to take apart and put back together which I really like because I don't enjoy doing reel maintenance at all. My Curados are 10+ years old with some having been used almost exclusively for fishing in heavy weeds with a meat stick rod and 80lb braid - drag locked right down and they're still going strong.  Though admittedly a couple of them are starting to feel like they might not have many years left in them. Still I can't complain and I feel like the Bantams will be at least as durable and they're really fun reels to fish with.

Your Shimano reels were also made in Japan, unlike the USDM reels we get here. But I agree they perform great, wish I hadn't sold mine.

21 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Your Shimano reels were also made in Japan, unlike the USDM reels we get here. But I agree they perform great, wish I hadn't sold mine.

It depends on the model doesn't it? I know the Curado E's were the last Curados made in Japan. Currently, I know the Bantams and higher are made in Japan. I've always wondered how much difference it really makes. In theory they should be able to machine/mold/stamp the parts and assemble them with the same level of precision regardless of where the factory's located but in know things don't always work the same in practice as they do on paper.

You can’t go wrong. I own both and they are fantastic. I will say I use my curados more as they fit my hand better.

I use both, but I prefer Shimano.

Buy one of each and decide which one you prefer.

Shimano is what I own, but I would gladly own Diawa.  The rest will give you Covid 19 if you don’t disinfect these Chinese made POS.  ?

I own both and like both but favor shimano a bit more.

From what I could find out the TD-Z 105H was made from 1998-2005.  I hope longevity is good because I have 3 of them.  If it isn't, I've wasted some money because all 3 have been tuned and upgraded. 

11 hours ago, The Maestro said:

I've always been a Shimano guy. I know Daiwa makes quality reels as well but one thing I rarely hear mentioned about them is longevity. It could be right up there with Shimano for all I know. I just don't recall reading much about it.   My baitcasters are Curado E's and Bantam MGL's. They're very simple to take apart and put back together which I really like because I don't enjoy doing reel maintenance at all. My Curados are 10+ years old with some having been used almost exclusively for fishing in heavy weeds with a meat stick rod and 80lb braid - drag locked right down and they're still going strong.  Though admittedly a couple of them are starting to feel like they might not have many years left in them. Still I can't complain and I feel like the Bantams will be at least as durable and they're really fun reels to fish with.

 

My left handed TD-X HSDL reels are at least 15 years old.  Never skip a beat.

I have both and prefer Daiwa.  For me, I get longer casts and less backlashes with the Daiwa TW system.

All my reels are JDM Daiwa/Shimano. Except 3 Tatula elites I just added.  Daiwa group is getting bigger.

I've noticed the guys that are consistently on the fish use Shimano. ????? I fish Abu, Lew's, and Shimano atm. I figured my Abu's would wear out so I could replace them with Shimano's but I can't kill'em. I bought a Daiwa with the TW and spooled it up only to have pull half the line off to get it not to rub the cross bar. I swapped it for a Shimano I could spool with the correct amount of line.

28 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

I've noticed the guys that are consistently on the fish use Shimano. ????? I fish Abu, Lew's, and Shimano atm. I figured my Abu's would wear out so I could replace them with Shimano's but I can't kill'em. I bought a Daiwa with the TW and spooled it up only to have pull half the line off to get it not to rub the cross bar. I swapped it for a Shimano I could spool with the correct amount of line.

Be honest, the TWS crossbar is over .200 from the spool rim.

I own both and use both brands and both have advantages and disadvantages depending on how you use your reels. 

For example Daiwa doesn't make a decent round swimbait reel and discontinued the Luna. Shimano hasn't been as innovative with breaking and gearing options as Daiwa.

The Digital control braking reels haven't gone over well. I use Daiwa baitcasting reels for my lures up to 1 oz since the early 90's and Shimano for larger swimbaits. All my spinning reels are Shimano Stractic.

Tom

On 4/15/2020 at 12:32 PM, Adam Markley said:

Which brand do you prefer,

When something annoys me about my Shimanos I instantly prefer my Daiwas. That can flip on any given day.